Predator shaft gets a bad "rap"

Hit Man

Hit Man

<-------GANGSTA'
Silver Member
Thinking of buying a Predator 314 for your cue? Think twice! This commentary is based on what I've found to be fact about a very popular replacement shaft geared toward playability and improvement of your game.

After using several new 314 shafts on a host of different custom and production cues I can see there are some very distinct benefits as well as problems involving this what appears to be a lovem' - hatem' relationship.
I have read many of the threads posed here in the forum about complaints on 314 shafts sounding funny, vibration, ball control, and accuracy. Hence getting a bad rap, and ritefully so!

I have bought several new 314 (off the shelf) replacement shafts and used them on Falcon, Joss, Meucci, Viking, and Tim Scruggs. I will have to agree with most of the haters' comments about the shaft in this regard. Main reason being is that you rarely get a true custom fit when threaded together with your cue.
This leads to poor sound, increased deflection (ball squirt) and vibration when striking the cue ball off center.(A feature that Predator claims to have minumized.) The bad rap!

To the rescue! A true custom jointed predator 314 is one of the most awesome shafts on the planet, bar none, hands down, period! end of discussion! It must thread tightly in the piloted brass portion and preferably have a wooden sleeve around the brass pilot, the collar must fit evenly with no over or under lap on your cue, just like a true custom shaft.

After a rather lengthy discussion on this subject with Pete Tascarella who is my friend and lives near-by here on Long Island , I decided that custom jointing would work better than an 'off the shelf' fit.

All the claims about the the benefits are immediately noticeable once done.
Pete personally doesn't like the Predator citing the benefits are a bunch of "bung" in his opinion. He feels that a true custom shaft, tight grain select slow growth and high ring concentration is the best. After all, his business is making the best custom cue in the world.

My advice to you is that if you want a replacement 314 shaft for a better game, buy a blank and let your favorite cue maker properly joint it. It makes a world of difference! P.S. use a Moori 3 meduim layered tip and enjoy!

Regards,
'Hit Man'
 
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Nice post hitman. Thank you for the info and I guess it only makes sense. I know Mike Webb custom fits Predator shafts and everyone I know who shoots with his combo loves it.

Thanks,
Dave
 
Hit Man said:
Thinking of buying a Predator 314 for your cue? Think twice! This commentary is based on what I've found to be fact about a very popular replacement shaft geared toward playability and improvement of your game.

After using several new 314 shafts on a host of different custom and production cues I can see there are some very distinct benefits as well as problems involving this what appears to be a lovem' - hatem' relationship.
I have read many of the threads posed here in the forum about complaints on 314 shafts sounding funny, vibration, ball control, and accuracy. Hence getting a bad rap, and ritefully so!

I have bought several new 314 (off the shelf) replacement shafts and used them on Falcon, Joss, Meucci, Viking, and Tim Scruggs. I will have to agree with most of the haters' comments about the shaft in this regard. Main reason being is that you rarely get a true custom fit when threaded together with your cue.
This leads to poor sound, increased deflection (ball squirt) and vibration when striking the cue ball off center.(A feature that Predator claims to have minumized.) The bad rap!

To the rescue! A true custom jointed predator 314 is one of the most awesome shafts on the planet, bar none, hands down, period! end of discussion! It must thread tightly in the piloted brass portion and preferably have a wooden sleeve around the brass pilot, the collar must fit evenly with no over or under lap on your cue, just like a true custom shaft.

After a rather lengthy discussion on this subject with Pete Tascarella who is my friend and lives near-by here on Long Island , I decided that custom jointing would work better than an 'off the shelf' fit.

All the claims about the the benefits are immediately noticeable once done.
Pete personally doesn't like the Predator citing the benefits are a bunch of "bung" in his opinion. He feels that a true custom shaft, tight grain select slow growth and high ring concentration is the best. After all, his business is making the best custom cue in the world.

My advice to you is that if you want a replacement 314 shaft for a better game, buy a blank and let your favorite cue maker properly joint it. It makes a world of difference! P.S. use a Moori 3 meduim layered tip and enjoy!

Regards,
'Hit Man'
Click to expand...

Both of the Predator shafts I play with were blanks made specifically for each respective cue by the cue maker, and they play great.

However, I've come to the conclusion that there is no "right" shaft for every stroke. A player has to find the right shaft for their individual stroke mechanics and style of play. The problem is, there is a lot of trial and error in finding it, and as a players game evolves and mechanics change, the optimum shaft specs change with it.

Chris
 
The thing with the Predator is that you have to get used to the way that it plays. I had one made for my custom Pechauer and it plays a lot better than the stock shaft. I never really like the Predator but recently Ive been playing well with it and havent been playing with my Omen, which I thought played better than the Predator. I guess I didnt really know how to play when I first got the predator a few years ago and never gave it a chance. Now its not so bad once to get accustomed to it but in all honesty I still prefer a well made custom shaft.
 
Size doesn't matter

My predator shaft is slightly larger than my butt and I haven't had time to have someone turn it down. This hasn't affected me in the least. I have both custom fitted and stock predator shafts on several cues and haven't noticed any difference, although the fit on the stock shaft is nice and tight.
 
TATE said:
However, I've come to the conclusion that there is no "right" shaft for every stroke. A player has to find the right shaft for their individual stroke mechanics and style of play. The problem is, there is a lot of trial and error in finding it, and as a players game evolves and mechanics change, the optimum shaft specs change with it.
Click to expand...

It would be hard to improve on what you've written here, Tate. Bravo!
 
Predator Shafts...

Maybe I got lucky with the one Predator shaft I own. It improves the hit on any butt I put it on!!!

** I purchased a Tiger X shaft as well as the McDermott Intimidator shaft. The Tiger shaft was absolutely average - while Intimidator shaft hit fantastic with excellent control and spin !! All things considered - I would rate the Predator and the Intimidator as equal.
 
Good post. I would like to add though if you have a quality Schon with a Schon shaft there is no need for a Predator shaft. Schon quality is significant. I spent money on a Predator for my Schon and do not use it. However a Joss or other similar Predator makes a huge difference.
 
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One thing I forgot to mention was that not all 314 "off the shelf" fits are bad, if fact most are very close to being just right. It's mostly the piloted ones I've found to be a little loose, and that's where a big improvement can be gained by custom jointing. I started using predators on all my cues because they just feel right to me. And as on 1 past commentor put it, it's just a shaft you have to get used to playing with. There is absolutely no right or wrong here, just different strokes for different folks!
 
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